Binghamton University crime stats 'stable'

Stenger also provides university update

Mar. 16, 2013

Reports of incidents on Binghamton University's campus declined in 2012, compared to 2011, and the BU police chief hopes to keep them 'stable' as the university increases enrollment. / KRISTOPHER RADDER / File Photo

Written by

Meghin Delaney

VESTAL — Binghamton University’s police chief on Friday pointed to the success of the community response team as a key factor in driving down disorderly conduct and other reported crime on campus.

In 2012, the university police department responded to 45,000 service calls and had 1,153 reported crime incidents, down 32 from the 1,185 reported incidents in 2011. A total of 215 people were arrested on 266 charges.

“This is stable,” BU Police Chief Tim Faughnan told the university council during its monthly meeting at Binghamton University.

As student enrollment increases, Faughnan expects numbers to rise slightly too, but added stability is more important than a rise or fall.

In 2012, almost all reports of “serious offenses” were down, Faughnan said. There were two reported rapes, a decrease from five the year before. Grand larcenies were down from 31 to 28. Homicides and robberies remained unchanged at zero.

Arson, assault and burglary, also considered serious offenses, increased slightly from 2011 numbers.

The reported numbers only include on-campus incidents, Faughnan said, and do not take into account calls responded to by other police departments in the area.

Faughnan credited the 50 percent decrease in disorderly conduct to the community response team formed in September.

Department officers patrol on weekend nights in non-traditional clothing, and talk with students and go downtown. Faughnan said the program helps establish a relationship with students.

“It’s an early intervention program,” he said.

University update

BU President Harvey Stenger updated council members Friday on university happenings, including the launch date for the university Road Map initiative as April 8.

“With these initiatives, we’ll hire between 60 and 80 full-time staff members in a two-year period,” Stenger said. The new employees would be responsible for helping implement the different initiatives and could include administrative staff and positions such as web developers.

Stenger also talked about expanding student enrollment, citing record enrollment applications at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Officials plans to bring in an additional 400 undergraduate and 100 graduate students for the 2013-14 academic year, Stenger told the council.

Next week, Stenger will travel to universities, high schools, research facilities and businesses in Korea, China and Hong Kong on a 12-day trip to work on outreach programs and help expand BU’s global presence.